Holiday apartment in Neuilly-La-Forêt – between marshland, château and mill

Between marshland and medieval history

A holiday apartment in Neuilly-La-Forêt gives you access to a place where nature, wetlands and history lie closely side by side. From the late 11th century onwards, Château de Neuilly served as a residence for the bishops of Bayeux. To this day, it preserves Romanesque and early Gothic architectural elements, including a large lancet window, the arcades of a former residential tower and Gothic window openings in the chapel. The château grounds are an archaeological reserve of great importance for medieval secular architecture.

On foot through the Marais de l’Elle

For peaceful exploration, the signposted route „Les marais de l'Elle“ leads from the village centre to La Bouillotte, where it begins. The route follows a long avenue of pollarded ash trees and runs along the dykes of the Vire and the Elle. Along the way, a marshland landscape opens up, with long, narrow plots separated by drainage ditches. This landscape makes the route an appealing choice for anyone who wants to do more than simply cover ground while hiking, and would also like to observe the shapes and traces of an environment shaped by water.

A water-based experience on the Elle

Another perspective is offered by the excursion „Kayak accompagné dans les marais de l'Elle“. It starts in Neuilly-la-Forêt and explores the marshland ecosystem along the Elle. The excursion on the Elle has no climbs or rapids. Alongside hiking, it therefore places a water-based experience at the centre, allowing the landscape and the course of the river to be explored together.

The history of the port, mills and river in Saint-Lambert

Saint-Lambert is an old port and hamlet above the confluence of the Elle and the Vire and the associated salt marshes. The village provided shelter for barges and fishing boats. The mill that is still visible is also part of this historic picture: it is connected to powerful weirs known as „vides“. Anyone interested in the connection between rivers, port life and regional architectural history will find another tangible way to engage with the surrounding area here.

Organic vegetables and lactic acid fermentation

La Mare Mitonne contributes to the local character with a particular focus on vegetables and processing. The farm grows organic vegetables and preserves them through lactic acid fermentation. La Mare Mitonne also offers paid tours for individuals or groups, including a garden tour, an introduction to the principle of lactic acid fermentation and a tasting. Workshops introducing lactic acid fermentation are offered by reservation.

The right accommodation for your travel style

When choosing between a holiday apartment and a holiday house, you can consider which combination you want to shape your trip: signposted paths and marshland, a guided excursion on the Elle, medieval architecture or regional food. In this way, your choice of accommodation helps you consciously set the focus of your stay without allowing the different sides of Neuilly-La-Forêt to get lost in a single travel concept.

More places to help plan your trip

For further orientation, you can also visit Champ-Du-Boult, La Folie, Villers-Sur-Mer, Caen, Douvres-la-Délivrande, Tilly-Sur-Seulles, Le Tronquay and Meuvaines.

For the overall travel overview: Calvados.